It appears that Thad’s desire to remain in the Pacers locker room trumped wanting more security as he enters this next season at 30 years old.

In an interview with Alex Kennedy shortly after the offseason began, Young talked a lot about next year with the Pacers, making it clear that he’d like to be back, even if he hadn’t made a decision on his option at that time.

Man, I think the sky is the limit for us. As a team, we’re already pretty good, but I think we’ll be so much better entering next season because we’ll all have another year of experience under our belt and we won’t be a new look team that just got together anymore. … Next year, it should be 10 times easier. There’s not much learning and acclimating that we’ll need to do; we can just pick up right where we left off and focus on getting better.”

Young’s final year is worth $13.7 million. The Pacers still have about $20 million in cap space if they waive Al Jefferson.

Kevin Pritchard said the Pacers will have $20 million in cap space. To get to that number, a couple players will have to go. Here are the different ways that Indiana could get that much space.https://t.co/UCxBmP1BwH

Earlier today, Indiana was rumored to be interested in making a large offer to RFA Aaron Gordon, but with Young opting in, the question will be if the Pacers interest remains in the 22-year-old forward.

Thanks for all the love @Pacers fans and family. Everyone keeps saying welcome back. I never left. I'm here. I promise to continue to give 110% for my brothers & family in blue & gold each day as I have done the past 2 years. #UnfinishedBusiness